Here's another one for my unfinished shelf, unfortunately. I've read about 250 pages, which is one-third of the way through, but with the end so far oHere's another one for my unfinished shelf, unfortunately. I've read about 250 pages, which is one-third of the way through, but with the end so far on the horizon, I'm ready to give up. Since the book is structured in individual interviews, can always pick up again some other time. It's not like it's a complete story, and I'm missing the ending.

The interviewees are regular Americans talking about what they do for a living. Most of them are griping, which I can relate to, but that may be part of why I'm having trouble getting through. 700 pages of it? On the other hand, almost every one of them has something interesting to say, and they really do give a picture not only of their jobs, but of the times. These interviews were held in the early 70's, so people are talking about Vietnam and NOT talking about the Internet. I'll bet some of these jobs don't even exist today.

The two I'll probably remember best are the film critic and one of the two cops. The film critic said, "Don't envy movie actors and screen and print writers for making a lot of money. Envy them because they're doing creative work that they love." That's a point that a bored office worker can relate to. The cop said that if cops earned points for the good they can do in the community, as opposed to just making arrests and giving out tickets, society would improve. Words of wisdom, but it's stuck between a whole lot of descriptions of drudgery. Still, I can't give this book less than a 3. It's an accurate picture of real life. ...more

Bah! First abandoned book of the year! I first heard of it on the Freakonmics Radio Podcast, and I was intrigued by the thesis: that mayors accomplishBah! First abandoned book of the year! I first heard of it on the Freakonmics Radio Podcast, and I was intrigued by the thesis: that mayors accomplish much more than heads of nations because they deal with the practical realities of day-to-day living. Reality forces them to put ideologies aside. The book follows the format of one chapter outlining the author's ideas and then a profile of a mayor. Parts of the first chapter was tough to get through because much of it was theoretical and academic, but I was willing to push my way past it to get to the first profile on Mayor Michael Bloomburg. Well, guess what? The profile was mostly dry and academic, too. Some of the writing was readable, but I wish the author had done with his book what he says the mayors do: stick with the practical stuff. Theories pale in comparison. ...more

I’m putting this aside for now, and I’m not sure if I’m going back to it. I took it out of the library because my son is doing a report on Andrew CarnI’m putting this aside for now, and I’m not sure if I’m going back to it. I took it out of the library because my son is doing a report on Andrew Carnegie, and the flap copy looked interesting, so I started it. Chapters 1 and 2 defined “entrepreneur” and “creativity,” but because I didn’t need convincing that entrepreneurs are can be as creative as artists, I found the chapters repetitive.

The rest of the book is supposed to cover twelve or so famous entrepreneurs and point to the traits that made them so successful. The entrepreneurs include Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, Thomas Edison, F.W. Woolworth, George Eastman (of Kodak), Edwin Land (of Polaroid), Sam Walton (of Walmart), Ray Kroc (of McDonald’s), Warren Buffet, and Bill Gates. There may have been others, but I don’t remember. In any case, if the book had been structured as chapter by chapter biographies of each entrepreneur, I might have found it more readable, but instead, it tackles the issues thematically, so you get a summary of how the family life of each entrepreneur, the working styles of each entrepreneur, etc. All that jumping around made the book feel choppy to me. No doubt it has something to teach, but it hasn’t held my attention all that well. Too bad....more

I wanted to read this book not just because it's about history, but because it made history. JFK read it, and it inspired him to negotiate a peacefulI wanted to read this book not just because it's about history, but because it made history. JFK read it, and it inspired him to negotiate a peaceful solution in the Cuban Missile Crisis, instead of arming up for a long, drawn out war like the European powers did in World War One. But even though it's a Pulitzer-prize winning classic, I wasn't getting much out of it. The beginning was good because that was more about politics. Once it got into military maneuvers, though, I was lost. So no rating for this book. It wouldn't be fair since the fault is mine and not Barbara Tuchman's. ...more

Several GR friends recommended The Disappearing Spoon as a narrative approach to chemistry for the science-challenged like myself. I thought Dr. SacksSeveral GR friends recommended The Disappearing Spoon as a narrative approach to chemistry for the science-challenged like myself. I thought Dr. Sacks' memoir might be the same. Unfortunately, I think I should have read The Disappearing Spoon first because I did not have the background for this memoir. It's one thing to push myself through the dull sections of a history book, but with science, I might as well be reading a foreign language. That's not to say I got nothing out of the book, but I certainly wasn't getting enough to continue with it.

To Jews, I recommend the chapter called "Home Life." It's almost 100% personal narrative and is mostly about the Sacks' family's religious life. The first few chapters about his early life are also all narrative. Heck, even some of the science is narrative. It was interesting to know that Boyle, the father of modern chemistry, regarded chemistry as "fun," just a big kid making things explode. It sure didn't match my memories of learning Boyle's Law back in high school. Similarly, while I do remember enjoying learning about the periodic table way back then, I'm sorry I didn't remember enough of it to really appreciate Sacks' reverence for it.

Perhaps someday, after I've read The Disappearing Spoon, I'll get back to this book. But for now, I'm regretfully leaving it unfinished. ...more

Good is the enemy of the great. That is the first sentence and thesis of this book. In other words, if you're performing adequately, your motivation tGood is the enemy of the great. That is the first sentence and thesis of this book. In other words, if you're performing adequately, your motivation to improve yourself can easily be stifled. After all, you're getting by. Why put in all that discipline to go from good to great? But if you want to go from good to great, this book promises you the secrets of doing it.

I guess I'm destined to be merely good because I'm returning this book to the library unfinished. I thought the advice was worth applying for the first half, but then I got to the point that said, "Figure out what you can be best in the world at. If you can't be the best in the world, then stop doing it."

Excuse me? Only the best is good enough? C'mon. Only one can be the best. The world is full of many, many second-bests, and we get along just fine.

Perhaps it's incorrect for me to try to apply these principles, which are meant for businesses, to my life as an individual. But I believe what I say for businesses, too. Not everybody can be the best. You can strive to be better, but if "best" is your goal, you're more likely to be disappointed than to succeed. And if not being the best is enough reason to give up, then I give up on this book.

This book has been on my virtual "currently reading" shelf for weeks if not months, and on its equivalent in reality for just as long, but I might asThis book has been on my virtual "currently reading" shelf for weeks if not months, and on its equivalent in reality for just as long, but I might as well face the fact that I'm not going to finish it. It's a frum memoir, which I generally prefer to frum fiction, and it's about an average Jewish woman's teshuva and parenting, which is familiar and therefore enjoyable, but about halfway through, I think I've had enough....more

Elimelech "Mike" Tress was what is called a "balebatish" hero in the Orthodox world. In other words, he wasn't a rabbi or a scholar, but is celebratedElimelech "Mike" Tress was what is called a "balebatish" hero in the Orthodox world. In other words, he wasn't a rabbi or a scholar, but is celebrated for his activism and organizational abilities. Before and after the war, he created youth groups to stem the tide of assimilation. During the war, he was active in the rescue of numerous Jews. His life is certainly one worth reading about.

Unfortunately, though, I only read about half of this book. It's hagiographic, which bothers me a little, and often anti-Mizrachi, which bothers me much more. I may take it out of the library again and finish at some point, but I don't feel a tremendous pull to do so. To the extent that I do, it's because of Mike Tress himself and not the quality of the book. ...more

I began this out of interest in Octavia Hill, so I skipped right ahead to her section. I read most of the bio, but then I got up to the theology thatI began this out of interest in Octavia Hill, so I skipped right ahead to her section. I read most of the bio, but then I got up to the theology that motivated her. I can respect that religion inspires activism, but when it's not my religion, I'm not all that interested in reading about it. I suppose I ought to bear that in mind when my writing doesn't excite that much interest....more

It was probably a mistake to get this as an audio book instead of in print. I listened to about half of it, and because the beginning was so full of oIt was probably a mistake to get this as an audio book instead of in print. I listened to about half of it, and because the beginning was so full of other people's success stories, I never got to much of the negotiation skills. Perhaps the print book will hold my attention better. After all, I still want to learn those skills....more

I'm halfway through this book, but putting it aside even though I had plans to push my way through. It's a history of philanthropy in the Victorian erI'm halfway through this book, but putting it aside even though I had plans to push my way through. It's a history of philanthropy in the Victorian era, and while I definitely learned from it, the style is academic, which makes it slow-going. The most interesting parts were about the people/movements and their accomplishments: Octavia Hill and her low-cost housing for the working poor, Charles Booth and his seventeen volume study of the poor which is foundational in the field of social research, and the Salvation Army whose aim was to reach criminals and alcoholics, the people Octavia Hill and Charles Booth wouldn't touch. Amusingly, the Salvation Army had its protesting counterpart, the Skeleton Army, which used to organize mock revivalist meetings. Perhaps I'll pick this book up again in the future, but I feel it's more important to learn about what's happening now rather than back then. ...more

Like most Americans born in the 20th century, I've seen enough B horror flicks and spoofs featuring Count Dracula to know something of the story withoLike most Americans born in the 20th century, I've seen enough B horror flicks and spoofs featuring Count Dracula to know something of the story without having read the novel, so much of the mystery was spoiled. A young man shows up at Count Dracula's castle for a job interview and is kept waiting all day. He wonders why. Well, we already know why. But it was well-written, so I read through Book I and then started Book II, which looked even more promising because it was from the point of view of his fiance, who warmed this journal-keeper's heart by saying something along the lines of "If you write everything down about your life, you remember an incredible amount of detail." But it was Shabbos afternoon and time for my shiur (religious lecture), so I put down the book and went. When I returned, I had no desire to continue the book. It may be a well-written classic, but why should I immerse myself in all that darkness? ...more

The Tiberias chapter was interesting, but all in all, the book didn't hold my attention. Don Yosef just isn't as admirable a person as was his aunt, DThe Tiberias chapter was interesting, but all in all, the book didn't hold my attention. Don Yosef just isn't as admirable a person as was his aunt, Dona Gracia....more

That makes four books on my "currently reading" list, which is probably a record for me. I also haven't written in weeks, and I'm feeling none to confThat makes four books on my "currently reading" list, which is probably a record for me. I also haven't written in weeks, and I'm feeling none to confident about my future as a writer. But it sure is entertaining to read some really bad writing and think, "Well, at least I know better than to do that." ...more

I'm putting this aside for now. It's an interesting attempt to retell the events of a real-life crime in the 1880's in story form, but other books havI'm putting this aside for now. It's an interesting attempt to retell the events of a real-life crime in the 1880's in story form, but other books have taken priority....more

This is a collection of essays put together by Professor Zvi Gitelman of U Mich, Ann Arbor. I was intrigued by him because of a comment he made in theThis is a collection of essays put together by Professor Zvi Gitelman of U Mich, Ann Arbor. I was intrigued by him because of a comment he made in the most recent episode of Rabbi Wein's "Faith and Fate" film documentary: that the communist model/welfare state that Israel was following in the early 50's when it was absorbing Jews from Arab lands was exactly the right policy at the right time. I loved that because: 1) when I was very young, I claimed to be a communist; 2) I did that out of a naive but genuine and very Jewish belief that the world can become a better place; and 3) I still believe that collectivism/government-as-charity-provider has its place, though not in every situation or at all times. Professor Gitelman's specialty is Jewish history under communism, and his work, coupled with that comment in the film told me, "Here is a man who gets it." And then I heard about The Quest for Utopia, which discusses not just the Jewish/communist phenomenon but Biblical history and the modern state of Israel as well, and I just had to get a hold of it.

I'm sorry to say, but the book bored me so much, I'm not continuing with it. It's written in such unreadable academic language and takes so much work just to understand one concept that I'm not learning much from it. Perhaps that pegs me as a lightweight, but I don't think so. Dan Arielly, a professor at MIT, made his books accessible to the lay person, as I think all academicians ought to do. Let 'em kill their darlings, just like fiction writers should. Personally, when I read sentences that are draped with elaborate language that is hard to follow, I often suspect the author has something to hide. And even though I don't think so in this particular case - I just think the authors were following the standard style in their discipline - I just didn't have the patience to read it, which is a shame, because Jewish history in general and Jewish attempts at utopia specifically are a passion for me. Back to Rabbi Wein.

But I haven't written off Professor Gitelman yet. This may not have been the book for me, but I'll try and get hold of some of his others. And if I do, I'll surely let you know....more

I remember my sister loving this book as a kid, so I decided to get it out for my own kids if only to get a change from Bruce Coville. Guess what? We'I remember my sister loving this book as a kid, so I decided to get it out for my own kids if only to get a change from Bruce Coville. Guess what? We're going back to Bruce Coville.

That's not to say it isn't a well-written book; it is. But it's slower paced and not as funny as anything Bruce Coville has written. That's partly because it's for slightly older readers, and partly because it's an older book. In the age of television, children's books have become much more action-packed just to keep the kids' attention.

My main problem with this book, though, was that it was dark. Lewis, the main character, is toying with magic that raises the dead. It was so dark, I actually regretted taking it out for my son, but he was so into it, I didn't take it away from him.

I've given this a 3 because, as I said, it's well-written. The characters are absorbing and it really conveys a spooky mood. Also, I have no doubt that it improved my son's reading skills. From an academic point of view, it was a step up from Coville, and now I think he's ready for the first three Harry Potter books. But Bruce Coville remains our reigning favorite. I can hardly wait for the next in the Pleskit/Tim series. ...more

Elie Wiesel is a great humanitarian, but this book was so disjointed, I had to give up in the middle. My husband says it's not an accurate history ofElie Wiesel is a great humanitarian, but this book was so disjointed, I had to give up in the middle. My husband says it's not an accurate history of Chassidus either....more

Here's another one for the "unfinished" category, or perhaps it fits better under a "Who am I kidding?" category. I heard the author, an expert in gloHere's another one for the "unfinished" category, or perhaps it fits better under a "Who am I kidding?" category. I heard the author, an expert in global politics who has served under a few presidents and writes for The New York Times, on a radio interview, and he spoke so well, particularly about support of Israel, that I felt I just had to read his book. He wrote it as a sort of open letter to President Obama, advising him on all kinds of foreign policy issues and even some domestic ones.

Mostly, the book is about the nature of power, which he defines not as military prowess but the ability to pressure others to do things they don't want to. Military prowess is part of power, but certainly not all of it, and when military prowess is misused, it actually results in a loss of power. (He demonstrates in great detail how George Bush, Jr. did just that.) The United States remains the single greatest world power today, but it is certainly not all-powerful. As insurgencies and terrorists have proven, there are plenty of forces within the world who may be weaker than the U.S. but who will not kowtow to any demands and will kill to get their way. On the positive side, global interdependence has never been stronger, so countries really do need to work together so that the entire world can mutually benefit.

I got about 100 pages into the book, and while it's by no means a light read, I found it more readable than many other history books I've attempted, particularly because it's all recent history. I'd really like to know "how common sense can rescue foreign policy," but I'm not going to finish the book to find out, at least not now. All this talk about power got me thinking about the where I exert power in my own life - with my kids. So it seems that a better use of my time would be to read self-help and parenting books, with the occasional venture out into the bigger world just to keep myself informed and educated. So like I said, along with John Kenneth Galbraith's history of money, this one goes into the "Who am I kidding?" category....more

With all that's going on with the economy, I figured I owed it to myself to finally learn how money works. Rabbi Wein describes Galbraith's memoirs asWith all that's going on with the economy, I figured I owed it to myself to finally learn how money works. Rabbi Wein describes Galbraith's memoirs as "funny," and the flap copy on this book said that reading it would not be "a chore," so I figured this was the economics book for me.

After about 60 pages, I'm giving up. I can see that it's well-written and well-documented, but most of it is going over my head. I read a little about bank crises in Europe in the 1700's and the debate over gold standard to paper money, but if I had to take a test on this book, I'm sure I'd fail.

I'm disappointed to be proven to be such a lightweight. So I'm taking Galbraith's Name Dropping: From FDR On out of the library. Perhaps an historical memoir written by an economist is an easier way for me to digest the financial information I so sorely lack. And if not, there's always Dave Barry's Money Secrets. ...more